Apparatus for freezing fluids



Oct. 22, 1957 H. G. CHARLET 2,810,268"kv APPARATUS FOR F'REEZING FLUIDS Filed Nov. 18, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WA KM 't. v22, 1957 H. G. cHARLl-:T

APPARATUS FOR FREEZING FLUIDS 3 Shee'cs--Sheetl 2 Filed NOV. 18, 1954 Oct. 22, 1957 H. G. CHARLET y APPARATUS FOR FREEZING FLUIDS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 18, 1954 1% L? VI f6# United States Patent Op APPARATUS FOR FREEZING FLUIDS Henry G. Charlet, Long Beach, Calif.

Application November 18, 1954, Serial No. 469,761

Claims. (Cl. 62-106) This invention relates to apparatus for forming material into solids and in particular to an apparatus for solidifying fluids. In its preferred form the invention is shown embodied in a machine for forming ice cubes. A number of different ice cube manufacturing machines have been provided. These have various methods of introducing water into molds, of freezing and of removing the ice. In general, these prior devices are fairly complex, difcult to operate and require a considerable amount of maintenance. In some machines the water is brought -into the molds at one end and the ice is removed at the other. This requires special xtures and ttings at both ends of the molds. In still other machines the molds are lowered into freezing tanks for freezing and then raised for discharging or filling. Often it is diflicult to eie'ct the movements required for the molds to accomplish the various steps of the process. The molds, tank and other apparatus comprise separate elements and means for movably connecting them. Furthermore, in such apparatus a considerable amount of flexible hose and sealing devices are needed.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine in which difficulties encountered in prior machines are overcome. According to my invention a relatively simple apparatus is provided.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide an ice cube forming machine in which the molds and freezing tank are an integral unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easy Vand convenient'means for moving the molds from a charging or receiving position to a discharging or harvesting position.

A further object is to provide a novel filling means for lling the molds which cooperates with the molds when they are in the receiving position. Furthermore, the objects of the invention include providing cube forming apparatus in which the minimum amount of ilexible hose is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eflicient method of cutting the ice as it is delivered from the molds so as to form it into cubes. The word cubes is used herein in a generic sense and it is intended that all manner of shapes of ice segments are Within the scope of the invention.

`Yet another object of the invention is -to provide an efficient apparatus for quickly freezing the ice. According to the invention the molds are provided at both their top and bottom with spray heads for directing refrigerant etc. directly onto the molds in-a tine spray. This results in greater heat transfer. The refrigerant or-other material ows away from the molds and the molds are not suspended in a mixture of spent and fresh refrigerant. Although the words refrigerant and freezing are used andthe invention is shown as an embodiment in an ice cube forming apparatus it is not intended to restrict the invention to the freezing of water. The apparatus can be used for solidifying other material and for both the withdrawal or addition of heat to such material.- Y

f 2,810,268 Patented Oct. `22, l1957A ice Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for effectively manufacturing ice cubes or similar material. A further object of the invention is to provide an ice cube forming machine which is economical to operate and otherwise feasible from a commercial standpoint. f

Among the other objects of my invention are to provide an ice cube forming machine having spray heads fixed with respect to the molds. This greatly reduces maintenance. Another object of the invention is to provide a brine tank and freezing molds which are balanced so that they can be readily moved to receive water or to discharge ice.

Referring now in particular to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View showing an ice cube forming machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view with some elements vremoved for clarity.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view showing a device for cutting frozen ice into cubes.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is a top plan view showing the apparatus of Figs. 2 and 4 and the position in which they occupy with respect to each other.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a saw forming part of the cutting mechanism.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a filler device showing its method of cooperation with the brine tank and tubes for freezing ice.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is a view of an apparatus used for moving a saw carriage on which the saws of Figs. 4 and 7 are mounted.

Similar reference characters in the several views indicates similar elements.

Referring now in particular to the drawings a machine constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a pair of spaced stands 10 and a tank 12. The tank 12 is pivotally connected to the stands by shafts 14. On' opposite sides shafts 14 are rotatably supported on the stands by bearings 16. Ice forming tubes 18 are longitudinally disposed within the tank. These tubes comprise elongated cylindrical members. However, obviously they can have any desired cross sectional shape. The tubes 18 are open at their upper end 20 as viewed in Fig. 1, and are closed at their lower end 22. The tubes can be supported at their lower end 22 by means of the side wall of the tank. At the upper end they are supported by a tube sheet 24.

A series of nozzles 26 are supported both above and below the tubes. These nozzles are adapted to spray refrigerant onto the tubes for rapid freezing or thawing, as will be explained hereinafter. The nozzles are connected to conduits 28 by means of short stub pipes 30. Conduits 28 are in turn connected to headers 32, 34. These are joined outside the tank by a T 36 or any suitable union. Shaft 14 is connected to and supports coupling 38. The latter fitting is connected to T 36 by a suitable nipple. The tting 38 and headers 32, 34 rotate with tank 12. Therefore, fitting 38 is pivotally connected to brine line 40. Any suitable swivel union can be used.- The brine line 40 is T connected to lines 42 and 44 and valves 46, 48. Valves 46, 48 are interposed in the latter two lines for connecting line 40 alternately to line 42, or line 44. Line 42 leads from a warm brine tank 50 and line 44 leads from a cold brine tank 52. Suitable pumps, such as 54, can be used for directingthe fluids. A uid return line for conducting the brine out of the tank is connected at the lower end of the tank as viewed in Fig. 1. This line is indicated at 56,"and is a tiexibletline for permitting oscillation `of the-tank about its pivotal connection. Suitablemeans for` shifting brine from tank 52 to tank 50, or vice versaQin accordance with operating requirements may be provided. These can comprise. pumps, valves, conduits, etc. Furthermore, it is to be understood that refrigerating apparatus ais employed for cooling the brine in tank 52 and also heating apparatus canbe used in tankA 50 if-necessary. How* ever, normally this is not needed.

As indicated in'Fig. 1 the entire tank containing tubes 18 is adapted to. pivot on the stands. The tank can pivot from a position inwhich the open end ofthetubes are inan upper position to a position in which the open end of the tubes is in a lower position. .In the upperposition the tubes can be yfilled with water or any other material which is either to be heated or `cooled. In its lower position this material can be discharged through the open ends of the tubes. It is` obvious that there is an unlimited selection of shapes of tubes, and that either hot or cold heat transferring mediums can be introduced into `the tank and sprayed against the tubes.

In order to have a successful machine it isnecessary to provide a satisfactory means of -tilling the tubes. In some apparatus the tubes are filled at one end and-the material is removed at the other end. This requires rather `complex apparatus at both ends of the tubes vor molds. According to my invention, however, an extremely simple apparatus is provided. 4The tubes are filled and the material is discharged from the same end. The other end of the tubes is merely closed off. According to the invention the open ended tubes are quickly and easily filled by an apparatuswhich is not continuously carried by Vthe tubes. 1

As seen in Figures 1, 8 .and 9 the tankvhas an opening formed by laterally elongated projecting portion 58. This portion is at the upper end of the tank, as

viewed in Figs. 1 and 8. The tubes mounted in tube sheet 24, as previously described, preferably have their ends liushwith the outside of the tube sheet. A illing device, generally referred to by numeral 60, is pivotally supported from a hanger 62 by means of lever 64. Lever 64 is connected to a `bracket 66 which is rigidly connected to the filler per se 63.` An operating handle 70 is connected to lever 64.for swinging the filler inwardly and outwardly with respect to the ends of the tubes. Filler 68 can be formed of sheet metal as is the tank `and much ofthe other parts of the apparatus. wall 72, `a bottom wall '74, a top wall 76 and side Walls 78. The top, bottom and side walls are formed complementary to the sides of the projection 58 and are adapted to receive the latter. A flange 80 extends around the perimeter of the top, bottom and sidewalls in parallel relationship with respect to the end of projection 58 when the filler is in the position shown'in Figs. l and 8. A gasket 82 is connected to this iiange. This gasket extends along the walls. With the filler positioned as shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9 the gasket abuts the ends of projection 58 `in which the tube sheet is mounted. Bead 84 extends around the edge of projection 58 and cooperates with the gasket. Furthermore a bottom gasket, which can be formed as an integral part of the top gasket, extends under the projection 58 and cooperates with a second bead 86. As will be understood the beads can be joined andthe gasket formed so that there ,is a continuous seal. The sides of the filler and the top thereof extend along the sides and top of the tank. Conduit 83 introduces water into the filler and the water liows'frornthere into the tubes. p

With the tank in the position shown in Fig. 1 the filler. is moved into the position .described and the molds filled. Then the filler can be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig..1. After this is done the cold It has an end brine is introduced and the liquid is frozen. After the liquid has been frozen, or otherwise solidified, the brine ow is shut oli and the tank is tilted to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. l. This is the discharge position. It is seen that the open ends of the tubes are now in a position lower than the closed ends. The solidified material will now slide out of the tubes. If it should stick brine of the properl temperature can be introduced to release` the material from the sides of the tubes.

Reference numeral indicates an apparatus used for cutting the ice into-segmentssimilar to ice cubes. (In the embodiment shown the ice is cylindrical but the word cubes is used in a generic sense.) The cutting apparatus comprises a frame which frame has spaced stands 92 and connecting frame 94. Frame 94 is formed of spaced side members 96 and 98. These are interconnected by braces 100. The side members are cut, as indicated at.102 to form alined openings on opposite sides ofthe frame. The lower part of each of the cut out openings provides atrack 104. A tianged roller 106 is supported on each track. Opposed rollers are connected by an axle 108. Saw frame supports 110 are connected to-each axle and depend therefrom. These supports, similar to other` portions of the apparatus, may be formed of suitable plates, bars, angles, etc. Supports are connected at their lower end to saw frame 112. The supports4 are formed `so that the sawtrame lies at an angle to the horizontal for cooperation with the brine tank, as hereinafter described. The saw frame can be formed of any suitable material and preferably has angle members andsheet material interconnected to form a rigid frame. Bearings and rotatable shafts or arbors 114 are mounted at spaced `intervals along `the saw frame. Each of the arbors is adapted to receive a `saw 116 and a V-pulley 118. The V-.pulleys of each of the arbors are interconnected by V-belts 120. Motor 122 is supported on the saw frame by means of a laterally extending bracket 124 and is connected to two of the arbors in any convenient manner. The motor is preferably mounted centrally `of the saw frame. The V-pulleys and belts are enclosed within the saw frame 112 which serves to stiften the saw frame and protect the belts, pulleys, etc. Stop plates 128 vare mounted intermediate the saws, as indicated in Fig. 6. Z-shaped frame members can be used for this purpose. The saws are spaced from each other and the stop plates are adapted to receive the ice cylinders intermediate the saws when the tank is tipped to the dotted line position in Fig. 1. It is seen that if the saws are moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 6, they will cut ice-sticks 130. As the saws move the sticks 132 will drop down on, plates 128, one after another. As they drop down, the left hand saw, as viewed in Fig. 6, will cut these sticks. Eventually the saws have moved completely to the right and sticks 130 will have dropped down on plate 128 intermediate the two saws seen in Fig. 6.

The plates 128 extend under the cutting edges of the saws and the ice sticks 132 are supported until the saws are substantially through each stick. Thus, as the saw carriage moves to the right, each saw is constantly engaging a new ice stick, a second ice stick` is constantly dropping onto the plate 128 while the first mentioned ice stick is being cut, and the sticks leave the plate as they are cut. The'saws support the sticks between the plates. When the saw carriage has reached its extreme right position it is reversed and moved to the left. By oscillating the saw carriage back and forth on the tracks `the ice sticks `are cut into cubes.

The mechanism for moving the carriage back and forth is illustrated in Fig. 10. This mechanism comprises a motor 134 fixedly mountedon the frame elements 96. Sprocket gear 136 is rotatably mounted on the frame elements. A second sprocket gearj137 is connected to the motor shaft and` a'drive chain 138 interconnects the two gears. The sprocket gear is mounted on shaft 140. Arm 142 is connected ytoy shaft 140 and the shaft `is tixedly 'connected to the sprocket gear. A second arm or link 144 is pivotally connected to arm 142 and to the saw carriage. As gear 136 rotates arm 142 rotates. Thus, as sprocket gear 137 rotates the saw carriage is oscillated back and forth for cutting the ice into cubes.

Conveyor 146 is mounted below the saws and receives the ice. This conveyor can be a belt conveyor adapted to convey the ice to any convenient location.

In the use of the apparatus the tank is tirst moved to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. When in this position the filler device 60 is pivoted into cooperation with the brine tank and the tubes are filled. Next, brine is introduced into the tank and sprayed through the nozzles. When the liquid has been frozen the tubes are tilted to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. l. Now warm brine can be sprayed over the tubes to release the ice sticks. As the sticks slide outwardly they will engage the saws and stop plates. The saw carriage can then be moved back and forth and the saws rotated. As the sticks are cut and as they co-ntinue to slide out, the segments will drop on to the conveyor and be carried to a convenient location for packaging and storage. A brine return line 148 can be provided at the front of the tank, if desired, for use when introducing warm liquid into the tank. It can be adapted to cooperate with a trough 150 for collection of the brine and return to the tanks.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a cube forming machine, a tank, means pivotally supporting said tank above a transverse axis thereof for pivotal movement of said tank about said axis, a container for receiving material to be frozen mounted in Said tank, means for introducing refrigerant into said tank and into contact with said container, said container being open at one end, filler means engageable with the open end of said container for introducing said material into said container when said tank has one end in an upward position, said filler means being movably mounted with respect to said tank, -said tank being pivotal to place said one end of said tank in a lower harvesting position, a saw frame mounted adjacent said lower position and havnig cutting means, said material being movable out of said container when said tank end is in said lower position, said cutting means being movable transversely of said container across said material for cutting the latter.

2. In ice cube forming apparatus, a brine tank, a stand, said tank being pivotally connected to said stand, tubes for receiving and containing water to be frozen mounted in said tank and extending across the pivotal axis of said tank, means for introducing brine into ysaid tank into contact with said tubes, said tubes each having an open end and a closed end, a ller device movably mounted with respect to said tank and movable into engagement with the open ends of said tubes when said tubes are diagonally positioned with respect to the horizontal with their open ends uppermost, means for rotating said tank to a second position in which said open ends of said tubes are below the closed ends of said tubes, means for heating said tubes to release the ice formed therein for movement out of said tubes under the force of gravity when said tank is in said second position, a cutting device positioned adjacent said open ends of said tubes when in `said lower position, said cutting device comprising a frame, a carrier mounted on said frame for movement laterally of said tubes, cutting means on said carrier adapted to move laterally of the frozen liquid moving out of said tubes for cutting the same into predetermined lengths and stop means adjacent said cutting means for engagement with Said frozen liquid and positioned laterally spaced from said cutting means and adjacent said cutting means for positioning said ice with respect to said cutting means for cutting predetermined lengths.

3. An ice forming machine comprising a brine-receiving tank, a container mounted in said tank, said container having an open and a closed end, said tank having a side member, said open end of said container opening outwardly of one side of said side member with said container extending inwardly of the opposite side of said side member, a filler device for filling said container comprising a member movably mounted with respect to said tank and said container, said movably mounted member including side members defining an open end, said movably mounted member being movable into engagement with said side member of said tank with said open end of said member facing said open end of -said container, means for introducing a liuid into said ller device, said ller device being movable out of engagement with said tank when said container has been filled.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a seal member mounted on said filler device adjacent said open end of said ller device, said seal being adapted to bear against said tank when said filler device is moved into association with said container.

5. In an apparatus for freezing a liquid, the combination of a tank for receiving a refrigerant, an elongated mold having greater length than width, said mold being adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, said mold being mounted in said tank, said mold having an end delining an opening for receiving uid to be frozen and a closed opposite end, said tank having a bottom member and side members, said elongated mold extending laterally of one of said side members, said mold extending through one of said side members with the first mentioned end and said opening being outside said tank, said tank being movably mounted for tilting movement from a position in which said opening of said mold is in an upper uid receiving position to a position in which said opening is in a lower ice harvesting position, means for distributing refrigerant within said tank into contact with said mold, means for supplying a liquid to be frozen to said mold through said opening, the last named means comprising a filler device movably mounted with respect to said tank, said ller device being formed complementary to said one of said side members, said filler device comprising a container-like element having side members, said element being open on one side, the said filler device being movable into engagement with said tank to form a container therewith with the open side of said ller device facing said one of said side members, and means for introducing :a uid to be frozen into said filler device when said filler device is in engagement with said tank.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,130,960 Carter Mar. 9, 1915 1,327,414 Wilcox Jan. 6, 1920 2,287,255 Langgard June 23, 1942 2,397,347 Gruner Mar. 26, 1946 2,403,275 Gilliam July 2, 1946 2,496,155 Fulkerson Ian. 31, 1950 2,533,616 Pace Dec. 12, 1950 2,545,558 Russell Mar. 20, 1951 2,569,113 Munshower Sept. 25, 1951 2,585,498 Rear Feb. l2, 1952 2,701,453 Henderson Feb. 8, 1955 

